Encorafenib plus binimetinib in patients with locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic BRAF<sup>V600</sup>-mutant melanoma: Updated data from the multicenter, multinational, prospective, non-interventional longitudinal study BERING<sup>MELANOMA</sup>.
Authors: Erika Richtig, Carmen Loquai, Andrea Forschner, Ralf Gutzmer, Jessica Cecile Hassel, Jochen Utikal, Sebastian Haferkamp, Friedegund Elke Meier, Dirk Debus, Reinhard Dummer, Roger Anton Fredy Von Moos, Jan Thompson, Laura Gengenbacher, Olivier Michielin, Christoph Hoeller, Dirk Schadendorf
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2022)

9526 Background: For the treatment of advanced BRAF V600 -mutated melanoma, targeted BRAF/MEK-inhibition is a standard of care. Encorafenib + binimetinib (EB) were approved 2018 in the EU and 2019 in Switzerland, based on positive results from COLUMBUS (NCT01909453), median progression-free survival (PFS) 14.9 mo (5-yr PFS: 23%), overall survival (OS) 33.6 mo (5-yr OS: 35%). As data from controlled trials are based on selected populations, BERING MELANOMA investigates EB-use under real-world conditions in a broader population. Methods: BERING MELANOMA (NCT04045691) is an ongoing, multi-national, prospective, longitudinal, non-interventional study. It analyzes the effectiveness (prim. endpoint: 1-yr PFS-rate), QoL and safety of EB-therapy in the unresectable advanced or metastatic setting under real-world conditions, focusing on the first- (1L) and second-line setting including an evaluation of the impact of prognostic factors. The project aims to enroll up to 750 patients (pts) in a total of 80 German, Austrian and Swiss sites (study duration: 8 yrs). So far (10/2019-01/2022), 280 pts have been included. Pts with prior BRAF-/MEK-inhibition (except adjuvant use completed &gt; 6 mo) and &gt; 1 prior therapy line with CPI in the palliative setting were excluded (adjuvant CPI allowed). Results: Here we present the 2nd planned interim snapshot based on the initial 200 enrolled pts (186 treated / 182 evaluable; median FU: 14.2 mo). This analysis set shows a median age of 60.5 yrs (range 20.0-89.0), 45% of pts were female. 87% presented with distant metastases (brain: 30%), with an involvement of ≥3 organ systems in 51% and elevated LDH in 43%. 54% of pts underwent any prior systemic therapy (adjuvant: 30%; 1L CPI palliative: 24%, mainly with ipilimumab + nivolumab). EB was mainly administered in the 1L-setting (60%). Main reasons for EB-selection were: efficacy (44%), physician's preference (34%), QoL (17%). Median estimated EB treatment duration was 11.6 mo (95%CI 8.8-18.6), median relative dose intensity for both drugs: 100%, main reasons EB-discontinuation: PD (55%), toxicity (16%). Treatment adaptations were required in 40% of pts (interruption E 26%, B 29%), toxicity as main reason (E 26%, B 29%). Adverse events were reported in 86% of pts (grade 3/4: 34%), mainly (≥10%, all grades): diarrhea, nausea, fatigue (each 17%), CK increase (16%), GGT increase (11%). No fatal toxicities were observed. Conclusions: This 2nd interim snapshot shows an investigation of EB in a real-world population with advanced disease. Despite the poorer prognosis configuration as compared to the pivotal study, the observed tolerability profile is largely consistent with data derived from COLUMBUS without any new safety signals. The 3rd interim snapshot will be performed after enrollment of 300 pts.